Born on July 25, 1939, in Orange, she was the daughter of Clyde H. and Fayra L. (Clement) Elmer.

She attended the Clement School and Wilson School in Orange, and the Orange Center School. In 1958, she graduated from Spaulding High School in Barre.

On Dec. 10, 1960, Shirlene married Leland “Lee” Bolles in the Hedding United Methodist Church in Barre. Following their marriage, they made their home in Bradford and Trow Hill in Barre Town, before moving to their present home in 1969 in East Barre.

As a homemaker, her home and family were most important to her. In earlier years, she had worked as a nurse’s aide at the Zanleoni Nursing Home in Barre, as a cafeteria worker at the Barre City Hospital, at the Barre Town Elementary and Middle School in Websterville, and at the former Whimsicality business in East Barre as a mail clerk.

Shirlene was an active member of the East Barre Congregational Church where she served on the Board of Education, the Board of Deacons and Deaconesses, and the Ladies’ Auxiliary and sang in the church choir. She was also a member of the Green Hills Homemakers Club and, during her high school years, the Orange Grange.

She enjoyed reading, playing cards, camping, bowling and Sunday drives with her family. Shirlene took pleasure in spending time with her family and good friends, especially Sunday visits with her mom and dad for spaghetti dinner and apple pie.

Survivors include her husband, Leland Bolles, of East Barre; three daughters, Linda Otis and her husband, Marcel, of Barre, Laura Badger and her husband, Peter, of Washington, and Cheryl Joslin and her husband, Erik, of Warren; five grandchildren, Richard Otis, Mercedes Bolles-Joslin, Dakotah Badger, Halle Joslin and Eva Joslin; a great-granddaughter, Alexis; a sister, Marilyn Massie, and her husband, Jim, of Barre; two brothers, Ronald Elmer and his wife, Cecile, of Orange, and Melvin Elmer and his wife, Kristy, of Florida; several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, two granddaughters, Brooke Badger and April Otis, and a great-grandson, Hunter Potvin, predeceased her.

Her service of remembrance will be held on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at 2 p.m. in the East Barre Congregational Church. There are no calling hours.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the East Barre Congregational Church, c/o Brenda Carpenter, P.O. Box 246, East Barre, VT 05649.

The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, is in charge of the arrangements.